Self-deploying spiral for compartmentalizing liquids in a container

ABSTRACT

A device for compartmentalizing liquids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an overspill-protection compartmentalizing device to be used in conjunction with a liquid container. The container may be a glass, a beaker, a cup or any other device for containing a liquid of any kind. The compartmentalizing device uncoils so as to take up the width of the container in order to divide the liquid present inside the container and to avoid spillages and splashing in the event of shaking caused by a person or an environment. It notably allows persons suffering from tremors to avoid being stigmatized by having a discreet device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of liquid compartments. More particularly, the present invention relates to an anti-overflow compartmentalization device to be used in conjunction with a liquid container.

STATE OF THE ART

Liquid containers are devices well known to the public which allows them to transport their drinks with them, whether at work or at home or in various means of transport.

However, a container filled with a liquid, such as a glass of water or a cup of coffee, represents a danger for its user, especially if he has tremors or if he is in a moving vehicle, boat, car, plane, bicycle in particular. There is a risk of burns and user discomfort as well as possible cleaning costs.

There exist already-known anti-spill and anti-splash systems which make it possible to overcome the problems presented above. They are of two types: liquid compartmenting devices of the insert type, used inside containers intended to receive liquid and in direct contact with the liquid, and anti-spill and anti-splash systems external to containers intended for receive liquid, which are not in direct contact with the liquid.

Liquid compartmenting devices, which generally have an anti-spill and anti-splash function, are generally rigid in nature, not adaptable to containers of different shapes and sizes, and their cleaning is generally complex. External anti-spill and anti-splash devices are devices which act outside the container, without contact with the liquid, either by the fact that they are mechanically fixed to said container or by the fact that they are integral of the container.

These external devices have the disadvantage of having often a strong visual impact on the user, in particular in that they hide the contents of the container (lids, for example) and which could prove to be stigmatizing for an impaired user (lid beak, straw, pliers for example).

The present invention overcomes the difficulties presented above by presenting a highly effective anti-spill and anti-splash insert, adaptable to any type of container intended to receive a liquid, which has a self-deploying function, and which is aesthetically neutral with a transparent texture which is non-stigmatizing for the user.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the invention relates to an anti-spill and anti-splash device intended to be introduced into a container, comprising a continuous ribbon rolled up on itself, said ribbon comprising means for circulating a liquid placed in said container and said tape being capable of deploying spontaneously when released in said container. The invention also relates to a container capable of containing a liquid or a fluid, said container comprising a base and at least one vertical wall integral with the base to form a container capable of receiving said liquid or said fluid, said container comprising an anti-reversing and/or splash-proof, said device comprising or consisting of a continuous ribbon, preformed in the form of a spiral, the distance between the turns, when it is deployed, is not zero, said ribbon comprising means for circulating the liquid contained in the container, said ribbon being initially retained tightened on itself, preferably around a central axis in a package, and deploying when it is released and placed in the container, one end of the ribbon coming into contact with said at least one vertical wall of the container, and the other end of the ribbon remaining approximately in the center of the spiral, the length r of the tape being greater than the perimeter of the container.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “spiral” includes any spiral in the mathematical sense of the term, as well as any deployable system in order to occupy a volume and compartmentalize it.

In one embodiment, the end of the ribbon which does not touch the wall of the container is approximately in the center of the spiral.

In one embodiment, the length of the ribbon is 1.5 to 30 times, preferably 2 to 10 times, the perimeter of the container.

In one embodiment, the width of the ribbon is greater than the height of the liquid present in the container into which said ribbon has been introduced. In one embodiment, the length of the ribbon must allow the device once deployed to have at least two turns.

In one embodiment, the means for circulating the liquid are means for circulating the liquid contained in the container on either side of the turns of the ribbon.

In one embodiment, the turns of the ribbon comprise a cutout on the part of the ribbon which is close to the base of the container, called the lower part of the ribbon, said means being able to be presented in particular in the form of grooves or slots or zig-zag or waves. In another embodiment, the means for circulating the liquid on either side of the ribbon comprise orifices, in particular round, square or oval, formed in the ribbon, preferably in the lower part of the ribbon, namely the part of the ribbon which is proximal to the base of the container, allowing submerged circulation of the liquid between the compartments.

In one embodiment, the ribbon is wound on itself as tightly as possible and placed in a package and thus forms turns around a central axis, and the resulting roll has an equal or greater diameter of less than 20% of the thickness of the ribbon multiplied by the number of turns.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is made of plastic, preferably said material is polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, food grade plastic, in shape memory material, in particular of the nitinol type and/or in flexible material.

In another embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is rich in fibers, preferably vegetable fibers, very preferably bamboo. In another embodiment, the material making up the ribbon can dissolve in the liquid present in said container.

In one embodiment, the ribbon is transparent and therefore not stigmatizing for its user.

In one embodiment, the container is a glass, a goblet, a cup or any other container of liquid. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a package comprising a device according to the invention, in which the device is kept compressed or rolled in said package, so that, when the device is released and placed in a container, it becomes deployed automatically or spontaneously to adapt to the shape or perimeter of said container. In one embodiment, said package is biodegradable.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a container comprising a device according to the invention, in which the deployed device follows the contours of said container.

The following detailed description will be better understood on reading the figures. For illustrative purposes, the overflow compartmentalization device is shown according to the preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the request is not limited to the arrangements, modules, characteristics, embodiments and precise aspects shown. The figures are not drawn to scale and do not intend to limit the scope of the claims to the embodiments shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing an embodiment in roll form of an insert in deployed form, according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an orthogonal view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form with the perspective of the perforation system for circulating the liquid in the spaces between the turns of the roll.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form with the perspective of the perforation system for circulating the liquid in the spaces between the turns of the roller.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of an orthogonal view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form showing the perspective of the perforation system for circulating the liquid in the spaces between the turns of the roller.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form, integrated in a container receiving a liquid.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form with the perspective of the perforation system for circulating the liquid in the spaces between the sheets of the roller, integrated in a container receiving a liquid.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of an orthogonal view showing an embodiment in roll of an insert according to the invention in deployed form with the perspective of the perforation system for circulating the liquid in the spaces between the sheets of the roll, integrated in a container receiving a liquid.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system in waves on the lower part of the unrolled insert.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system in waves on the lower part of the rolled insert.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system by perforating round holes on the lower part of the unwound insert.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system by perforating round holes on the lower part of the rolled insert.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system by perforating square holes on the lower part of the unrolled insert.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the liquid circulation system by perforating square holes on the lower part of the rolled insert.

FIG. 14 is an orthogonal view showing the device deployed in the container with a single-use bag

FIG. 15 is an orthogonal view showing the device with wave circulation system deployed with a single-use bag.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view showing the deployed and rolled device seen from above.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device comprising a ribbon fractionating a liquid. The ribbon is wound on itself in the form of a roll around a central axis. The ribbon has means for circulating the liquid. The ribbon is intended to be introduced into a container.

By “ribbon” in the sense of the present invention means a thin thickness strip made of a rigid material across its width and wound on itself in its length. According to the invention, the ribbon has two ends, a distal end, which is located approximately in the center of the winding when the ribbon is wound on itself, and a second proximal end, at the periphery of the roll when the ribbon is wound on himself. In the width, the ribbon is limited by two zones, a first zone which will be towards the bottom of the container when the ribbon is in use, called “the lower part”, which relates for example to the lower half of the width of the ribbon, and on the opposite, a second zone which will be at the level of the opening of the container, called “the upper part”, which concerns the upper half of the width of the ribbon.

By “roll” is meant a ribbon wound on its own length along the axis perpendicular to the axis of the length of the ribbon. In one embodiment, the device can be compressed circumferentially and radially.

In one embodiment, the device is kept folded or compressed and deploys automatically or spontaneously when it is placed in a container to adapt to the shape or perimeter of the container used. According to one embodiment, the device occupies the entire width of the container once deployed.

According to one embodiment, the self-deployable effect of the device is optimized when the ribbon is wound on itself as tightly as possible, with an optimal diameter equal to or less than 20% greater than the thickness of the ribbon multiplied by the number of turns.

In one embodiment, the width of the ribbon is greater than the height of the liquid present in the container into which said ribbon has been introduced. In one embodiment, the length of the ribbon must allow the device once deployed to have at least two turns.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “approximately” before a numerical value means + or −10% of the numerical value. In one embodiment, the system for circulating the liquid from the ribbon comprises a cut out of the lower part of the ribbon in the form of grooves or notches or zig zag or waves or any other suitable cut out whose maximum height would represent at least 1% of ribbon area According to one embodiment, the cutting of the lower part of the ribbon is in the form of waves, grooves or slots, preferably waves.

In one embodiment, the ribbon liquid circulation system comprises at least one round orifice per revolution once the device is deployed In one embodiment, the tape liquid circulation system includes at least one square orifice per revolution once the device has been deployed. In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is a plastic. According to one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is chosen from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC) or polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is based on fibers. According to one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is based on vegetable fibers. According to a preferred embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is based on bamboo fibers.

In another embodiment, the material making up the ribbon can dissolve in the liquid present in said container. In the sense of the present invention, the term “dissolve” means that the device incorporated in the liquid contained by the container will form a homogeneous mixture. In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is compatible with use in contact with food. According to one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon complies with the standards in force in the human food industry. According to one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon complies with the food contact substances (FCS) standard.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon does not deform at a temperature of 50° C., 70° C., 90° C.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is of a particular color. According to one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is transparent or translucent or opaque.

According to a preferred embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is transparent.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon has shape memory properties.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is not porous. In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is not aromatic.

In one embodiment, the material making up the ribbon is produced using thermoforming or pressing or stamping or extrusion or injection molding techniques or any other suitable method.

The invention also relates to an individual package comprising the device according to any of the embodiments described above.

In one embodiment, the individual package is disposable. According to one embodiment, the individual packaging is a disposable bag. In one embodiment, the individual packaging is biodegradable.

The invention also relates to the method for placing, in a container, the device according to any one of the embodiments described above. In one embodiment of this method, the compressed device must be placed in a container and then released in order to self-deploy according to the width of the container. According to one embodiment, the lower part of the device must be in contact with the bottom of the container.

According to one embodiment, the insertion of the device is carried out axially relative to the surface of the liquid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device comprises a transparent polyethylene ribbon wound around a central axis and, seen from above, has a spiral shape.

Seen in side elevation, as shown in FIG. 2, or in side vertical section view, as shown in FIG. 3, or in orthogonal view of vertical section as shown in FIG. 4, the device has the appearance of a roller having orifices for the circulation of liquid solutions. In this embodiment, the ribbon is 8 cm wide and 92.5 cm long.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the device is placed in a container, formalized by a thick line.

According to one embodiment, the liquid circulation system provided in the device according to the invention comprises a cutout of the lower part of the ribbon in the form of waves (FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).

In another embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a liquid circulation system which comprises round orifices placed on the lower part of the ribbon (FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). In another embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a liquid circulation system based on the perforation of square holes placed on the lower part of the ribbon (FIG. 12 and FIG. 13).

In one embodiment, the ribbon can be integrated, for packaging and transport needs, in a bag for individual use (FIG. 14 and FIG. 15). In one embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a transparent polyethylene ribbon wound in the form of a spiral around a central axis. The ribbon once deployed must have at least two turns (FIG. 16). According to one embodiment, the operation of the device comprises the opening of a package for individual use containing said device. Maintained by the user in its folded or compressed configuration, the device can then be placed in the container and then released by the user in order to self-deploy across the width of the container. The user can press the device, placed in the container, axially towards the bottom of the container, in order to slide the device into the bottom of the container. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A container capable of containing a liquid, said container comprising a base and at least one vertical wall integral with the base to form a container capable of receiving said liquid, said container comprising a device anti-spill and/or anti-splash, said device comprising a continuous ribbon, wound up in a spiral, the distance between the turns, when it is deployed, not being zero, said ribbon comprising means for circulating the liquid contained in the container, said ribbon being initially retained tightened on itself and deploying when it is in the container, the length of the ribbon being greater than the perimeter of the container.
 17. The container according to claim 16, wherein the width of the ribbon is greater than the height of the liquid present in the container into which said ribbon has been introduced.
 18. The container according to claim 16, wherein the length of the ribbon must allow the device, once deployed, to have at least two turns.
 19. The container according to claim 16, wherein the said means for circulating the liquid are means for circulating the liquid contained in the container on either side of the ribbon.
 20. The container according to claim 16, wherein the said means for circulating the liquid comprise a cutout in the lower part of the ribbon, the said means being able to be presented in particular in the form of grooves or slots or zigzag or waves.
 21. The container according to claim 16, wherein the said liquid circulation means comprise orifices made in the ribbon, preferably in the part of the ribbon which is proximal to the base of the container, allowing submerged circulation of the liquid between the compartments.
 22. The container according to claim 16, wherein the said ribbon, is wound on itself as tightly as possible, forming turns around a central axis, in the form of a roll.
 23. The container according to claim 16, wherein the material making up the ribbon is made of plastic, preferably said material is polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene; food grade plastic; in shape memory material, in particular of the nitinol type and/or in flexible material, preferably in material resistant to temperatures of more than 50° C.
 24. The container according to claim 16, wherein the material of the ribbon is rich in fibers, preferably in vegetable fibers, very preferably in bamboo.
 25. The container according to claim 16, wherein the ribbon is made of a material capable of dissolving in the liquid present in said container.
 26. The container according to claim 16, wherein the ribbon is transparent and therefore non-stigmatizing for a user of the container who wishes to drink the liquid which it contains or to transport the container.
 27. The container according to claim 16, wherein the container is a glass, a goblet, a cup or any other container of liquid.
 28. A device capable of being placed and deployed in a container comprising a base and at least one vertical wall integral with the base, said device comprising a continuous ribbon, said ribbon comprising means for circulating a liquid, said ribbon being initially retained tightened on itself and capable of being deployed when released and placed in a container.
 29. Packaging comprising a device according to claim 28, wherein the device (1) is kept compressed or rolled in said package, so that, when the device is released and placed in a container, it deploys automatically or spontaneously to adapt to the shape or perimeter of said container.
 30. The packaging according to claim 29, wherein said packaging is biodegradable. 